London takes centre stage as world watches a classic British spectacle

Thursday 28 April 2011 11:12 BST

Your essential guide to the big day - what will happen, when and where, plus how to get around the capital...

The route - click image to enlarge

How the day will unfold

8.15-9.45amGeneral congregation including guests such as friends, celebrities and charity representatives arrive at the Great North Door of Westminster Abbey.

From 9.50am Governors-general and prime ministers of realm countries, the diplomatic corps, and other "distinguished guests" arrive at the Abbey.

10.10amThe bridegroom and Prince Harry leave Clarence House for Westminster Abbey. They arrive at the Abbey at 10.15am, leaving William with a 45-minute wait for his bride.

10.20amMembers of foreign royal families arrive at the Abbey from Buckingham Palace.

10.20amMother of the bride Carole Middleton and brother James Middleton leave the Goring Hotel for Westminster Abbey. They arrive at 10.27am.

10.25amMinor members of the royal family leave Buckingham Palace for Westminster Abbey. They arrive at 10.30am.

10.35amThe following members of the royal family leave Buckingham Palace for the Abbey. They arrive at 10.40am: the Duke of York, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and Vice-Admiral Timothy Laurence.

10.38amThe Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall leave Clarence House for Westminster Abbey. They arrive at 10.42am.

10.40amThe Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh leave Buckingham Palace for the Abbey. They arrive at 10.45am.

10.48amThe bridesmaids and pages leave the Goring Hotel for Westminster Abbey. They arrive at 10.55am.

10.51amKate Middleton, accompanied by her father Michael Middleton, leaves the Goring Hotel for Westminster Abbey.

11.00amThe marriage service begins. The entire ceremony will be relayed by speakers along the route, booming out across central London.

12.15pmThe carriage procession of the bride and bridegroom with a Captain's Escort of the Household Cavalry, followed by the Queen's Procession with a Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry, leaves Westminster Abbey for Buckingham Palace.

12.30pm The bride's carriage procession arrives at Buckingham Palace.

12.40pmThe royal family and members of foreign royal families arrive at Buckingham Palace.

From 12.45pmOther guests for the reception arrive at Buckingham Palace.

1.25pmThe kiss? The Queen and newlyweds William and Kate, with their families, appear on the balcony at Buckingham Palace. They will face deafening calls to share a kiss like Prince William's parents Prince Charles and Diana in 1981.

1.30pmFly-past by the Royal Air Force and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

1.45pmBuffet-style wedding breakfast for 600 guests. Menu a secret but said to be "all British". Prince Charles's official harpist, Claire Jones, will be playing.

7pmDrinks reception followed by intimate dinner for just 300 guests. Party to include speeches and then dancing. Chef Anton Mosimann will prepare the three-course meal while bar serves spirits, cocktails and champagne.

After dinnerLet the disco begin. State rooms at Buckingham Palace will be converted into a nightclub with DJ to play into the early hours - including tracks from Kanye West, Tinie Tempah and Jay Z - and a special "chill out" zone set up in the Throne Room

6amSpecial "survivors' breakfast" said to be planned for those who manage to stay up all night. Prince Harry has asked for guests to be served bacon sandwiches.

How to get there

How the Underground, roads and rail will be affected on royal wedding day.

ROADSThe route of the wedding procession between Buckingham Palace and Westminster includes The Mall, Horse Guards Road, Horse Guards Arch, Whitehall and Parliament Square. A total of 80 roads - including Charing Cross Road south of Shaftesbury Avenue, Millbank, Parliament Square and Victoria Street - will be closed from 6.30pm tonight and subject to parking restrictions. Cars still in the zone could be towed away from 6am. Hyde Park Corner, Park Lane and Piccadilly will also be closed. There will be no C-charge.

BUSESAll buses will be operating a Saturday service and many will be subject to diversions from 5.30am or will finish before their usual destination. They include the following routes: 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 29, 87, 88, 91, 148, 159, 176, 211, 388 and 453.

TUBEAll Tube lines will be running, with no planned engineering work during the day. Stations close to the wedding procession - Embankment, Charing Cross, Waterloo, Westminster, Hyde Park Corner and Green Park - will be open but could be shut if they get too overcrowded.

RAILDocklands Light Railway and London Tramlink will operate normal services throughout the day, with no planned engineering work. London Overground will run full services on all branches, except for the section between Watford and Willesden Junction - suspended for engineering works.